With widespread community spread, you should assume you come into contact with the virus anytime you are in public. By identifying categories instead of specific businesses, we can let people know what types of locations have been impacted so they can make choices about their behavior ahead of time. By avoiding a specific location after the fact, you do not necessarily limit your contact with the virus.
We’ve also found that people have become reluctant to get tested, and reluctant to cooperate with contact tracing staff because they don’t want to “get in trouble” or make their boss angry. We’re hoping that people will be more willing to cooperate and be open with us under the category system so we can identify outbreaks and notify all close contacts.
RCHD staff communicate extensively with outbreak locations, making sure protocols are followed for cleaning and quarantine, and that close contacts are notified. Making it easier for people to share more information directly with RCHD staff will be a greater benefit to the public.
